Reversible gaseous storage tube



Sept. 28, 1954 R. B. KOEHLER REVERSIBLE GASEOUS STORAGE TUBE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 23. 1950 M m K 6 m M ATTO P. IN KY Patented Sept. 28, 1954 UITD asses TENT OFFIE REVERSIBLE GASEOUS STORAGE TUBE York Application August 23, 1950, Serial No. 180,948

26 Claims.

This invention relates to gaseous discharge tubes. More particularly it relates to such a tube of the glow type for counting unitary electrical manifestations and to circuit means for applying a plurality of timed voltage changes to the tubes in response to each manifestation.

Such gaseous discharge tubes of the prior art are limited in that the glow is transferred in only one direction of rotation within the tube. One of the principal difiiculties has been the controlling of the transfer of the glow discharge from one count indicating element to the next higher count indicating element in response to a pulse to be counted. One prior art method for obtaining proper sequential glow transfer involves the use of at least three electrodes of the same functional type.

Another method involves the fabrication of a count indicating electrode and its arrangement relative to an associated electrode so that one count indicating element is more closely spaced to the associated electrode than any other one.

Each of the subsequent pulses to be counted merely initiates a glow between the next higher indicating element and the associated electrode so that an additional count merely causes an additional glow within the tube.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a novel gaseous discharge tube using only two electrodes of the same functional type for counting electrical pulses wherein the position of a glOW within the tube between a count indicating element and an anode indicates the number of electrical pulses counted.

Another object is to provide a gaseous discharge counting tube of the glow transfer type wherein the glow is rotatably transferrable in either direction.

Another object is to provide a gaseous discharge counting tube having a geometry such that the direction of the glow transfer and hence the addition or subtraction of counts by the tube is controlled solely by the voltages applied to certain electrodes of the tube.

A further object is to provide a gaseous discharge counting tube having a plurality of electrodes of the same functional type each with a plurality of fingers arranged equidistant from a plurality of electrodes of another functional type.

A still further object is to provide a gaseous discharge counting tube of the glow type having two cathodes, one with a number of fingers equal to the counting capacity of the tube and the other with one less finger than the digital capacity of the tube, all of said fingers of one cathode being mutually inclined to collectively define a cylindrical surface and all of said fingers of the other anode being mutually inclined in the other direction to collectively define the same cylindrical surface.

Another object is to provide a gaseous discharge counting tube having two annularly formed anodes arranged in spaced relation and two cathodes, each with a number of digital elements dependent upon the counting capacity of the tube and arranged within the anodes.

Still another object is to provide a gaseous discharge counting tube having at least two glow transfer electrodes each of which has elements thereon corresponding to a preselected manifestation, an element of each electrode being closer to an element of the other electrode than to any other element of the same electrode.

A further object is to provide a gaseous discharge device capable of step-by-step manifestations in response to an electrical change includ-- ing two elements each with a plurality of fingers so arranged that no one finger of either element is equally spaced along its length relative to any finger of the other element and wherein each finger of each element is substantially equally spaced at different points along its length from two different fingers of the other element.

Another object is to provide a novel circuit arrangement for effecting glow transfer within a multi-electrode gaseous discharge tube.

Still another object is to provide a novel circuit arrangement for initiating a plurality of timed voltage changes in response to a single pulse, said voltage changes being suitable for advancing an electrical manifestation through a plurality of stable positions.

A further object is to provide circuit means for supplying a plurality of timed manifestations in response to a unitary electrical change.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose, by way of examples, the principle of the invention and the best mode, which has been contemplated, of applying that principle.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an exploded view showing the structural configuration of the electrodes of a tube of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevation view of a tube illustrating an arrangement of the electrodes shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a circuit diagram of the basic electronic unit used by the invention;

Fig. 3a is a diagrammatic showing of the electronic unit of Fig. 3;

Fig. 4 is a circuit diagram of the novel circuit arrangement of the invention; and,

Fig. 4a illustrates a series of wave forms produced from the operation of the circuit of Fig. 4.

Briefly, the gaseous discharge counter tube of the invention comprises two similar anodes of the annular type mounted in spaced relation and two cathodes, one cathode has a number of digit representing elements or fingers equal to the digital counting capacity of the tube and the other cathode has one less finger than the digital counting capacity of the tube. An additional finger which functions as a starting electrode is positioned in the tube as though it was an additional finger of the latter cathode but is separately energized.

Because of their physical spacing within the envelope of the tube one of the anodes is referred to as the upper anode and the other is referred to as the lower anode. Likewise, one of the cathodes is referred to as the upper cathode and the other as the lower cathode. The cathodes are concentrically arranged within the surface defined by the annular anodes. The fingers of each cathode are mutually inclined to be parallel with each other and oppositely inclined relative to the fingers of the other cathode. The starting electrode is positioned and inclined as a finger of the lower cathode. All the fingers of the two cathodes and the starting electrode collectively define a generally cylindrical structure, in other words, a rotation of either cathode structure about its longitudinal axis would form the same cylindrical surface. The fingers of the respective cathodes are alternately spaced with respect to the fingers of the other cathode so that in moving around the generally cylindrical structure an encountering of a finger of one cathode is always followed by an encountering of a finger of the other cathode.

At the starting or in the zero position a glow discharge exists between one digit representing finger of the upper cathode and the lower anode. Each successive pulse to be counted causes the glow to be transferred to the next higher digit representing finger of the same cathode and thereafter exists between that finger and the same anode until the next pulse to be counted is received. In this manner the glow discharge is stepped from the lowest digit representing finger of the upper cathode to the highest whereupon the next pulse to be counted transfers the glow back to the lowest digit representing finger to provide a carry manifestation. Such a cycle of operation is obtained when the invention is employed to effect addition.

Also, the invention may be used to effect subtraction. To do so the glow is similarly transferred in the opposite direction around the cylindrical structure. That is to say, that when starting from the zero position the successive pulses used to effect subtraction cause. a glow transfer from the lowest digit representing finger of the cathode to the highest and that each successive pulse effects a glow discharge to the next lower digit representing finger.

The novel geometry of the tube permits the effecting of addition or subtraction by the tube to be determined solely by the particular voltages applied to the various electrodes.

The novel structural arrangement of the invention is illustrated by Figs. 1 and 2, Fig. 1 showing the arrangement of the particular electrodes and Fig. 2 showing the arrangement of the electrodes within the envelope of a tube.

The tube of the invention comprises an upper cathode structure UC, an upper anode structure UA, a lower anode structure LA and a lower cathode structure LC.

The upper cathode structure UC comprises an annular ring or band [5 and ten digit representing fingers in the form of wires substantially equally spaced along the periphery of the ring 5 and welded thereto as shown and designated lip-91), inclusive, and. corresponding to the digital positions 0-4. The fingers lip-31) are mutually inclined to the ring 15 and extend therefrom in substantially parallel relation to define a generally cylindrical structure.

The lower cathode structure LC is similar to the upper cathode structure UC and comprises an annular ring l6 and nine digit representing fingers l--9 similar to the fingers [17-92) of the upper cathode structure and affixed to the ring [6 as those fingers are affixed to the ring l5. A starting electrode or finger [is is provided in alignment with the fingers of the lower cathode structure LC which is cut away in Fig. i to show that finger Us is not connected to the ring 58. When mounted the lower cathode structure LC is turned 18 relative to the upper cathode structure UP so that the fingers of the two structures are oppositely inclined relative to each other as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Hence, the distance between each digit representing finger 2p-F:p and the correspondingly numbered fingers (is and 5-9 decreases as the lower end of each of the fingers is approached from the ring 5. Also, the distance between each of the fingers Gs and i--9 and. the fingers |2Jp (proceeding clockwise from ip), respectively, decreases as the upper end of each of the fingers 8-9 is approached from the ring it. This novel feature of the unequal spacing of each of the fingers along its length relative to each of the adjacent fingers of the other cathode, each finger being substantially equally spaced from each adjacent finger at different points along its length, insures a reliable step-by-step count indication for both ad ditive and subtractive operations in response to voltages applied to the electrodes of the tube.

The lower anode structure LA includes a lower anode I! formed as an annuiar ring and secured to the insulating disk l8 by any suitable means such as members i9 welded to anode ii, the members Hi being extended through the disk (8 and bent to secure the unity of anode l? and disk I8.

The upper anode structure UA includes an upper anode 20 formed as an annular ring and secured to the insulating disk 2% by the members 22 as in the case of the lower anode structure.

As shown, the fingers of both the upper and lower cathode structures and the starting electrode 03 extend through the disk 2i and the disk [8. As indicated, the finger 5p passes through the hole 5pU in the disk 26 and the hole 5pL in the disk IS. The finger 5 passes through the hole 5U in the disk 2| and the hole 5L in the disk 13. Similarly, the remaining fingers pass through the correspondingly designated holes in the disk 2i and the disk E8.

Electrode structures are supplied with voltages and supported within the envelope 39 by lead in wires connected to pins extended through the tube base. Pins 3l--35 are welded to the wires 3640, respectively. These wires 3640 are welded to the lower anode l1, upper anode 26, upper cathode ring [5, lower cathode ring l6, and starting electrode 05, respectively. The wires 31 and 36 extend through the holes BTU and 38U in the disk 2i and 31L and 38L in the disk l8 as shown. The holes are so spaced that voltages applied to the Wires 31 and 38 are ineffectual to cause a glow transfer within the tube merely because of the voltage thereon.

Referring to Fig. 3, the basic electronic circuit unit used in one circuit arrangement suitable for operating the tube of the invention in response to pulses to be counted is the so-called one shot multivibrator having only a single stable condition. The multivibrator shown employs a tube having two triode sections in a single envelope. The left-hand section is designated tube L and the right-hand section is designated tube R to facilitate the description herein.

The cathodes of the tubes L and R are commonly connected through a resistor 50 to a terminal C connected to a suitable source of negative voltage. The plates of the tubes L and R are connected through resistors 5i and 52 respectively to a terminal P connected to a suitable source of positive voltage. The plate of the tube L is connected to a terminal PL and the plate of the tube R is connected to a terminal PR and through a capacitor 53 to the grid of the tube L. The grid of the tube L is also connected through a capacitor 5 to a terminal L and through a resistor 55 and the terminal P to the source of positive voltage. A potentiometer 55 is connected between the terminals C and P and a potentiometer arm 56a is connected to the grid of the tube R so that its movement along the resistance of the potentiometer will change the value of the voltage applied to the grid of the tube R. The arm 56a is adjusted so that the voltage on the grid of tube L is less positive than that on the grid of the tube R. The multivibrator is designed to be responsive to negative pulses and to be nonresponsive to positive pulses.

When positive and negative voltages are applied respectively to the terminals P and C the tube L will conduct and the tube R will remain nonconductive. This is because the bias voltage applied to the control grid of the tube L is sulficiently positive to permit conduction and the bias voltage applied through the potentiometer 56 to the control grid of the tube R is less than that applied to the control grid of the tube L. When the tube L conducts a voltage drop occurs across the cathode resistor 58 and thereby holds the cathodes of the tubes L and R at a voltage higher than that on the control grid of the tube R and prevents conduction through the tube R. The voltage on the control grid of the tube L is approximately the same as that on its cathode. lhe capacitor 53 connected between the control grid of the tube L and the plate of the tube R, which is at a higher voltage than the control grid of the tube L, is charged accordingly, the left-hand plate of the capacitor 53 being negative and the right hand plate being positive. This stable condition with the tube L conductive and the tube R non-conductive exists until it is interrupted by the application of a negative pulse to the terminal gL.

The capacitor 54 and the resistor 55 comprise a differentiating circuit and when a negative pulse, for example of rectangular wave shape, is applied to the terminal gL a differentiated negative pulse 6 of short duration is applied to the control grid of the tube L.

The application of a negative pulse to the terminal gL decreases the voltage on the control grid of the tube L sufficiently to interrupt plate current conduction through the tube L and causes a collapse of the voltage drop across resistor 56 to return the cathodes of the tubes L and R to the same voltage as that on the terminal C. As a result the control grid of the tube R is at a higher voltage than its cathodes and the tube R is rendered plate current conductive. The conduction of the tube R creates a voltage drop across the resistor 5a, which is slightly less than that occurring across that resistor when the tube L is conductive. The voltage drop across resistor 50 increases until the voltage on the cathode of the tube R is approximately the same as that on its control grid. The negative charge on the lefthand plate of the capacitor 53 holds the control grid of the tube L more negative than its cathode and prevents conduction therethrough. Finally, capacitor 53 is sufficiently discharged to permit the control grid of the tube L to become more positive than its cut-off voltage and the tube L begins to conduct. The resulting increase in current through the cathode resistor 58 causes an increased voltage drop thereacross until the voltage at the cathodes of the tubes is suihciently positive to render the tube R non-conductive. The multivibrator has now returned to its stable condition with the tube L conductive and the tube R non-conductive and no further changes take place until another negative input pulse is applied to the terminal gL.

To further simplify the description of the novel circuit arrangement for applying voltage changes to the electrodes of the tube of the invention the multivibrator described in connection with Fig. 3 is shown in diagrammatic form in Fig. 3a. This diagrammatic showing includes all of the terminals referred to in connection with Fig. 3 and the :c in the left portion of the block indicates that the stable condition of the multivibrator is with its tube L conducting.

If a glow discharge is effected between a cathode and an anode within a gaseous discharge tube, the glow will locate itself at a point on the cathode which is nearest the anode. The actual area of the cathode which is covered by the glow is proportional to the amount of current flowing. Now, if a second cathode having a voltage more negative than that of the first cathode is placed near the first cathode on which the glow exists, the ionization of the gas in the vicinity of the second cathode causes a glow discharge to be effected between the second cathode and the anode. These phenomena are utilized by the novel electrode structure of the tube of the invention to efiect a stepped glow transfer within the tube in response to voltage changes provided by the novel driving circuit arrangement of the invention, which circuit arrangement is energized by the pulses to be counted.

Referring to Fig. 4, the circuit diagram includes four multivibrators MVl-MVd or" the type described in connection with Fig. 3. While these multivibrators are conventional, they are not all identical. The time required for each of the multivibrators MVI, MV3 and MV@ to return its stable condition after the receipt of a negative input pulse on its terminal gL must not be more than one-half the minimum time interval between pulses to be counted and the time required for the multivibrator MVZ to return to 7 its stable condition should be one-half that required by the multivibrators MVI, MV3 and MV l. However, some variations from the above timing conditions may exist without adversely affecting the operation of the invention.

The batteries El and 62 are connected as shown to supply the proper plate and cathode voltages to the multivibrators MVl-MV L Negative input pulses to be counted are applied from the input terminal 63 over a lead 64 to the terminal gL of the multivibrator MVI. The terminal PR of MVI is connected by a lead 65 to the terminal gL of MV2 and the terminal PL of MVI is connected by lead 66 to the terminal 913 of MV l. The terminal PL of MV2 is connected by lead to the terminal gL of MV3.

The portion of the circuit diagram included by the dotted line is a diagrammatic representation of the electrode structure of the tube shown in Figs. 1 and 2. These portions are designated as in Figs. 1 and 2.

The terminal PL of the multivibrator MV3 is connected by lead '1! and resistor 12 to the upper anode 2G and the terminal PR, of multivi brator MV3 is connected by lead 13 and a resistor hi to the lower anode H. The terminal PL of multivibrator MV l is connected by lead and a resistor 16 to the upper cathode structure represented by the diagrammatic showing of fingers {3p and lp. The terminal PR of multivibrator MVA is connected by lead 71, a resistor l8 and a lead T9 to the lower cathode structure represented by the diagrammatic showing of fingers l and 2. The value of each of the resistors 72, "i l, 16 and 18 is such that the maxi- :2

mum voltage applied between any cathode and anode is less than the firing voltage of the tube and still sufficient to cause enough current to fiow so that a glow substantially covers a cathode finger provided that the glow was present t when this voltage was applied. The output of the tube appears across the output terminals ill and 62 connected respectively to the starting finger (is and the lead 19 which is connected to the lower cathode structure. ing a normally closed contact no and a normally open contact no has its switch blade connected to the lead 83 connecting the output terminal 8! to the finger 8s. The normally closed terminal no is connected through a resistor to the lead 85 connecting the output terminal 82 to the terminal lead 79 which is connected to the lower cathode structure. During normal operation of the tube the switch is in the position shown so that the resistor 84 is connected across the output terminals 8! and 82. The normally open contact no of the switch S is connected to a battery 86 in series with a resistor 8? which is connected. at its other end to the line 65 so that when the switch blade is in contact with the contact no the battery as and resistor 81 are connected across the output terminals 8! and 82.

Obviously, the actual connection of the resistors 12, i i, '35 and 18 are made to the pins 32, 3!, 33 and 3 5, respectively, and the lead 83 from the switch S is connected to the pin 35. When the blade of the switch S is depressed to make contact with the normally open contact NO a series circuit is completed from the terminal PR of the multivibrator MVG through the lead 71, resistor 78, resistor 8?, battery 86, the switch blade and lead 83 to the starting finger 08 so that the voltage across battery 36 is placed in series with that supplied from the terminal PR of the multivibrator MV l to place a voltage A switch S havon the starting finger Us which is greater, by the voltage across the battery 86, than that normally applied to the lower cathode fingers. As a result of this increased voltage between the starting finger Us and the lower anode ll, a glow is initiated between the lower anode and the starting finger 0s. The value of the resistor 8'1 is sufficiently high to limit the glow to a small spot between the lower portion of the starting finger is and the lower anode ll, the glow being located immediately above the disk l8. When the blade of the switch S is allowed to again make contact with its normally closed contact NO the additional voltage of the battery 86 is removed from the starting finger 6s and a higher voltage exists between the finger Up of the upper cathode and the lower anode than exists between the starting finger 0s and the lower anode. As a result, the glow which existed between the starting finger 0s and the lower anode I1 is transferred from the starting finger (is to the 0 digit position finger lip of the upper cathode. The counter is now in the 0 or starting position with the glow existing between the finger 0p and the lower anode ll, the glow substantially covering the finger lip between the disks i3 and 2|.

The actual operations of the circuit and the glow transfer within the tube in response to a pulse to be counted will be explained by reference to Figs. 4 and 4a. Fig. 40. includes a diagrammatic representation only of various designated pulses representative of the voltages present at various places in the circuit diagram of Fig. 4. It is understood that the actual voltages applied to the electrodes of the tube are not necessarily as shown but each may increase or decrease in accordance with an exponential curve so that a finite time is provided for the voltage changes to take place which effect the glow transfer. The glow transfer from one digit representing position to the next higher or lower digit representing position within the tube is effected by voltage changes at five different times. These voltage changes always occur successively in response to each pulse to be counted. These five successive times at which voltage changes talre place are designated 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively.

When a negative pulse to be counted is applied to the input terminal 63 the multivibrator MVl is switched so that its tube R is conductive. As a result, the voltage on the terminal PR of the multivibrator MVI is decreased as indicated by the voltage wave 9! and a difierentiated pulse 92 is applied to the control grid of the tube L of the multivibrator MVZ to render the tube R thereof conductive. As a result, the voltage on the terminal PL of the multivibrator MV 2 is increased and the voltage wave 93 applied to the terminal gL of the multivibrator MV3 thereby applying a differentiated positive pulse 94 to the control grid of tube L of the multivibrator MV3. As previously stated, this positive pulse has no effect on the stable condition of the multivibrator. Also, when the tube R of the multivibrator MVI is rendered conductive the voltage at the terminal FL of MV! is increased as indicated by the voltage wave 95 and transferred over the lead 65 to the terminal gL of the multivibrator MV4, the differentiated positive pulse 96 being applied to the control grid of the tube L of the multivibrator MW! and having no effect on the stable condition thereof for the reasons stated heretofore. No further change in the circuit condition is eiiected at 1 time.

At 2 time multivibrator MV2 returns to its stable condition. When this occurs the decreased voltage at its terminal PL is transferred over the lead 67 to the terminal gL of the multivibrator MV3 causing a negative pulse 98 to be applied to the control grid of the tube L of multivibrator MV3 thereby causing the tube R to be rendered conductive. As a result, a decreased voltage is transferred from the terminal PR. of the multivibrator MV3 over the lead 13 and resistor 14 to apply a decreased voltage as indicated by voltage wave 99 to the lower anode l7. At the same time the increased voltage at the terminal PL of the multivibrator MV3 as indicated by voltage wave I09 is transferred over the lead H and resistor 72 to the upper anode 29. This simultaneous application of decreased and increased voltages to the lower anode i1 and upper anode 29 respectively causes the glow discharge which existed between the finger Up of the upper cathode and the lower anode I? to be transferred to the upper anode 29, the glow substantially covering the finger p between the disks I8 and 2|. No further circuit changes take place at 2 time.

At 3 time the multivibrator M'Vi returns to its stable condition and a decreased voltage is transferred from its terminal PL over the lead 66 to the terminal gL of the multivibrator MV4 thereby causing a negative pulse M2 to be transferred to the control grid of the tube L of MV4. As a result, the tube R of multivibrator MV4 is rendered conductive and a decreased voltage, represented by voltage wave IE3, is transferred from its terminal PR to the lower cathode. Also, an increased voltage is transferred from the terminal PL of the multivibrator MV l over the lead 15 and resistor 15 to the upper cathode.

If the voltage represented by I94 is applied, at 3 time, to the upper cathode, the size of the glow discharge between the finger 9p and the upper anode starts to decrease and become concentrated at the upper end of the finger M: below the insulating disk 2!. The simultaneous application of the decreased voltage represented by the wave 183 to the lower cathode causes the voltage on the lower cathode to become less positive than that on the upper cathode and the glow is transferred from the finger 9p of the upper cathode to the finger I of the lower cathode. ihe glow which exists between the upper anode and the finger l of the lower cathode eventually covers the entire finger I. For reasons stated hereinabove the positive pulse I05 applied to the control grid of the tube L of the multivibrator MV2 when the multivibrator MVI returns to its stable condition has no effect on the stable condition of multivibrator MV2.

At 4 time the multivibrator MV3 returns to its stable condition. As a result, an increased voltage represented by wave 99 is transferred from the terminal PR, of multivibator MV3 over the lead 13 and resistor M to the lower anode. Also, the decreased voltage represented by the wave I90 is transferred from the terminal PL of the multivibrator MVS over the lead 7! and resistor 12 to the upper anode. As a result, the potential difference between the finger I of the lower cathode and the lower anode is greater than that between the finger l and the upper cathode and the glow discharge is transferred to the lower anode so that it exists between the lower anode and the finger I.

At 5 time the multivibrator MV4 returns to its stable condition. As a result, the decreased voltage represented by wave form I04 is transferred from the terminal PL of the multivibrator MV4 to the upper cathode and the increased voltage represented by the wave 193 is transferred from its terminal PR to the lower cathode. As a result, the potential difference between the finger lp of the upper cathode and the lower anode is greater than that between the lower anode and the finger i of the lower cathode thereby causing the glow discharge to be transferred and to exist between the finger Ip and the lower anode.

The circuit of Fig. 4 has now returned to its original stable condition and the glow discharge has been transferred from the 0 digit position finger 9p and the lower anode to the finger l digit position lp and the lower anode to indicate an advance of one digital position within the tube.

The next pulse applied to the input terminal 63 will cause a glow transfer to exist between the 2 digit position finger 2p and the lower anode, the third pulse applied to the input terminal 53 will cause a glow discharge to exist between the 3 digit position finger 3p and the lower anode. Successive pulses cause a similar advancement of the glow discharge until the tenth input pulse causes the tube to return to its original stable condition. It will be noted that when each tenth input pulse is received the glow discharge is transferred across the starting finger es in advancing from the 9 to 0 position. When the glow discharge is thus caused to exist on the starter electrode 03 a voltage is developed across the resistor 34 as a result of the current flowing and this voltage represents a carry signal and may be used to actuate a similar counter tube or other device in the next higher order.

While the digital manifestation as represented by the position of the glow discharge within the tube may be determined by visual inspection, such is frequently undesirable and electrical means may be provided to effect a reading out, at any time, of the manifestation within the tube. This may be accomplished by applying a series of 10 read out pulses to the input terminal 93 to send the counter through one complete cycle of operation. The elapsed time between the appearance of an output or carry pulse as indicated by the voltage drop across the resistor 84 and the end of the tenth read out pulse applied to the input 63 will give an accurate indication of the digital manifestation in the tube prior and subsequent to that readout operation.

It is obvious that the geometry of the electrode structure will permit glow transfer in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction around the tube with equal ease. Such a feature is advantageous in that the glow discharge may be advanced in one direction to indicate addition and in the other direction to indicate subtraction.

The operation of the tube to effect glow transfer from right to left (Fig. 4) is deemed obvious from the explanation of the glow transfer from left to right, the sequence of the application of the voltage changes to the electrodes of the tube being determinative of the direction of the glow transfer within the tube.

It is also apparent that other circuit arrangements may be employed to energize the tube of the invention to effect a counting of electrical manifestations and that the digital capacity of the tube may be increased or decreased.

While there have been shown and described pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a counting tube of the glow discharge type including two cathodes each having a plurality of digit representing elements, said cathodes being symmetrically arranged so that a digit representing element of each forms a transfer gap with each of two digit representing elements of the other; anode means symmetrically arranged relative to said cathodes; voltage means for applying a series of voltage changes to said tube to transfer said glow from one predetermined position to another; and means for energizing said voltage means and connecting said voltage means to said tube.

2. In 0. gaseous discharge counting tube of the glow transier type for effecting addition and subtraction; a first number of digit representing fingers equal to the counting capacity of the tube and connected together to be commonly energized; a second number of digit representing fingers equal to one less than the counting capacity of the tube and connected together to be commonly energized, each of said fingers defining a gap with two of said first fingers so that all but two of said first fingers form a gap with each of two fingers of said second fingers, said two of said first fingers forming a single gap with one of said second fingers; a starting finger arranged to define a gap with the two of said first fingers forming only a single gap with one of said second fingers; anode means arranged to form a gap with each of said fingers; and voltage means connected to initiate a glow between said anode means and a preselected one of said first fingers.

3. A gaseous discharge counting tube including at least one electrode of one functional type; and only two electrodes of another functional type, each electrode having a plurality of elongated fingers arranged equidistant from said one electrode, each finger of each of said two electrodes being substantially equispaced at one point along its length from only one finger of the other electrode and at another point along its length from only one other finger of the other electrode.

4. A counting tube of the gaseous glow type including a first cathode having a plurality of digital position fingers, a second cathode having a plurality of digital transfer fingers, a first anode substantially equidistant from each of said fingers, and a second anode arranged in relation to said first anode and substantially equidistant from each other said fingers.

5. In a calculating device of the glow discharge type firsu and second electrodes of one functional type each with a plurality of fingers extending therefrom in alignment with each other, a finger of each electrode being positioned to be intermediate consecutive fingers of the other, and third and fourth electrodes of another functional type each equidistant from each of said fingers.

6. In a glow type gaseous discharge counting 12 tube wherein the position of a single glow discharge within the tube indicates the number of electrical manifestations applied thereto up to the digital capacity of the tube; a first and second electrode of one functional type having a number of digital position elements and digital transfer elements respectively as determined from the digital capacity of the tube, said elements being positioned so that each digital transfer element forms a distinct glow transfer gap of substantially equal size with each of the two digital position elements adjacent thereto.

7. In the gaseous discharge counting tube as set forth in claim 6 electrode means arranged substantially equidistant from each of said elements and adjacent said gaps to form two additional glow transfer gaps with each of said elements.

8. In a gaseous discharge counting tube a first cathode having a number of digital position fingers equal to the digital counting capacity of the tube, said fingers being affixed to a ring shaped member near one of their ends and the other end extending therefrom and inclined to said ring to define a generally cylindrical structure; a second cathode having a number of transfer fingers equal to one less than the counting capacity of the tube, said fingers being afiixed to a ring shaped member near one of their ends and the other ends extending therefrom and inclined to define a generally cylindrical structure; a starting finger arranged in parallel align ment with the fingers of said second cathode; and means for mounting said cathodes in spaced relation within an envelope so that the fingers of each of said cathodes are oppositely inclined and define the same generally cylindrical structure.

9. In the gaseous discharge counting tube as defined in claim 8 two annular shaped anodes arranged in spaced relation within said envelope concentric with said generally cylindrical structure and outward therefrom so that said anodes are substantially equidistant from said ringers.

'10. In a calculating device first and second electrodes of one functional type each with a plurality of fingers extending therefrom in alignment with each other so that a finger of each electrode is intermediate consecutivefingers of the other, third and fourth electrodes of antermined step-by-step fashion and exists in stable equilibrium between the same of said third or fourth electrodes and a finger of the same of said first or second electrode which finger is adjacent to said one finger.

11. In a gaseous counting tube wherein the position of a glow discharge within the tube manifests the number of electrical manifest'a'tions received by it, cathode means including a plurality of symmetrically arranged elongated elements each of uniform efficiency to provide for glow transfer therealong in either direction with equal facility, and anode means substantially equidistant from each of said elements.

12. In a calculating device a glow type gaseous 13 discharge counting tube including a pair of ringlike electrodes of the same functional type mounted in spaced relation, first and second electrodes of another functional type each having a plurality of digit representing elements commonly energized and extending the distance between said ring-like electrodes and arranged in inwardly spaced relation thereto to define a gap between each of said elements and said ringlike electrodes, the elements of each electrode defining the same generally cylindrical structure and an element of each electrode being intermediate two adjacent elements of the other; means for applying voltages to said electrodes and maintaining a glow between one of said ring-like electrodes and one of said elements; circuit means for cyclically changing the voltage applied to a plurality of said electrodes for effecting a predetermined step by step transfer of said glow discharge from one element and one of said pair of ring-like electrodes along that element to the other one of said pair of electrodes, to an adjacent element of said first or second electrode and thence therealong to the firstmentioned of said ring-like electrodes and thence to the other adjacent element of said first or second electrode along an element of which the glow was first transferred; and means for rendering said circuit means operative 13. In a calculating device a glow type gaseous discharge counting tube including a pair of ringlike electrodes of the same functional type mounted in spaced relation, first and second electrodes of another functional type each having a plurality of digit representing elements commonly energized and extending the distance between said ring-like electrodes and arranged in inwardly spaced relation thereto to define a gap between each of said elements and said ring-like electrodes, the elements of each electrode defining the same generally cylindrical structure and an element of each electrode being intermediate two adjacent elements of the other; means for applying voltages to said electrodes and maintaining a glow between one of said ring-like electrodes and one of said adjacent elements; circuit means for sequentially increasing and decreasing respectively the voltage on each one of said pair of electrodes simultaneously and for sequentially increasing and decreasing respectively the voltage on each of said first and second electrodes simultaneously to transfer said glow discharge which exists between one of said ring-like electrodes and one of said elements intermediate said two adjacent elements to exist between said one of said ring-like electrodes and the other of said two adjacent elements; and means for rendering said circuit means operative.

14. An electronic device including a gaseous discharge tube having a predetermined number of digital position gaps each arranged intermediate a plurality of digital transfer gaps, said gaps being arranged in a predetermined order; electrode means including electrodes of different functional types for defining said gaps; means for firing one of said digital position gaps; circuit means for simultaneously applying certain timed voltage changes across said gaps to simultaneously extinguish the fired gap and fire the next gap in said order in step by step fashion until the next digital position gap in said order is fired; and means for energizing said circuit means.

eluding first, second, third and fourth electronic units each having only a single stable condition and being triggered to an unstable condition for a predetermined time in response to a negative voltage pulse to produce positive and negative voltages, the time during which said second unit will remain unstable being one-half that during which the remaining units will remain unstable; a source of negative input pulses and a connection therefrom to said first unit to render it unstable in response to each of said pulses; means coupling said units to enable a preselected triggering thereof in response to each input pulse thereby providing a plurality of timed voltage changes of opposite polarity at said third and fourth units; a gaseous discharge tube of the glow type wherein glow discharge is advanced in one direction to indicate a calculating operation, first and second electrodes each having a plurality of fingers and each finger forming a distinct and separate gap with two fingers of the other electrode, a plurality of electrodes mounted in spaced relation and substantially equidistant from each of said fingers to provide a glow discharge gap between each and each said finger; means for initiating and maintaining a glow discharge across one of said gaps; and means coupling said third unit to said first and second electrodes and said fourth unit to said plurality of electrodes to apply said timed voltage changes to said electrodes to cause a uniform stepped transfer of said glow in response to each input pulse.

16. In an electrical circuit for producing a plurality of timed electrical changes during a predetermined time interval, a source of electrical manifestations, a plurality of electronic circuits interconnected so that each circuit produces at least two voltage changes at predetermined times when one of said electrical manifestations is applied to one of said electronic circuits, and circuit means connected to apply said electrical mainfestations to said one of said electronic circuits.

1?. In an electronic system a source of pulses each occurring within a certain minimum time interval; a series of electronic circuits having one stable condition, each circuit being responsive to a pulse to be switched from said one stable condition and returned thereto during said certain minimum time; means for applying said pulses to one of said electronic circuits to switch it from its stable condition; current carrying means interconnecting said electronic circuits so that a switching of the electronic circuit to which said pulses are applied causes a switching of at least one other of said electronic circuits and thereby initiates a sequential switching of the remaining of said circuits in a predetermined order; and output means connected to at least one of said circuits for conveying a plurality of timed electrical changes therefrom following the application of each pulse to said one electrical circuit.

18. In a circuit responsive to pulses having a certain minimum time between their recurrence; first, second, third and fourth devices each having one stable condition and bein switchable therefrom and automatically returnable thereto during said certain time, said second device being returnable in one-half the time as any other of said devices; means for applying said pulses to said first device to switch it from its stable condition; means interconnecting said first and second devices, said first and fourth devices and said second and third devices so that a switching of 15. In a calculator and electronic circuit insaid first device switches said second device, the

return of said second device switches said third device, the return of said first device switches said fourth device, and the third and fourth devices return to their stable condition, in turn; output means connected to each of said first and third devices to convey opposite voltage changes from each in response to their switching and return.

19. A counter includin a circuit response to pulses having a certain minimum time between their recurrence; first, second, third and fourth devices each having one stable condition and being switchable therefrom and automatically returnable thereto during said certain time, said second device being returnable in substantially one-half the time as any other of said devices; means for applying said pulses to said first device to switch it from its stable condition; means interconnecting said first and second devices, said first and fourth devices and said second and third devices so that a switchin of said first devices switches said second device, the return of said second device switches said third device, the return of said first device switches said fourth device, and the third and fourth devices return to their stable condition, in turn; a counting tube of the glow transfer gaseous discharge type, said tube including two cathodes each with a plurality of digit representing fingers and two anodes; and coupling means between said third device and said anodes and between said fourth device and said cathodes to convey opposite voltage changes to said tube in response to the switching and return of said third and fourth devices.

. The counter as set forth in claim 26 includin a starting electrode positioned within said tube to form a glow discharge gap with each anode and one finger of each cathode, a connection from said fourth device to said startin electrode to supply voltage thereto, and voltage means switchably insertable in series with connection to supply an additional voltage to starting electrode to initiate a glow discharge within said tube to indicate the zero position thereof.

21. An electronic circuit including first, second, third and fourth electronic units each having only a single stable condition and capable of being triggered to an unstable condition for a predetermined time in response to a negative voltage pulse to produce positive and negative voltages, the time during which said second unit will remain unstable being one-half that during which the remaining said units will remain unstable; a source of negative input pulses and a connection therefrom to said first unit to render it unstable in response to each of said pulses; and circuit means coupling said units to enable a preselected triggering thereof in response to each input pulse 16 thereby providing a plurality of timed Voltage changes 0f Opposite polarity at said third and fourth units.

22. In :a gaseous discharge tube of the glow transfer type, anode means, cathode means mounted in spaced relation to one another and to said anode means, said cathode means includinga plurality of elements each positioned to produce non-uniform electrical effects upon adjacent ones of said cathode elements.

23. In a gaseous discharge tube of the low transfer type; a first group of elongated electrode elements; a second group of similar elongated electrode elements, each arranged to coact with a corresponding preselected one of said first group of elements to effect a transfer of said glow discharge and being unequally spaced at dine-rent points along its length from said preselected element of said first group.

24. In the gaseous discharge tube set forth in claim :23; potential means connected to apply a potential between said first and second groups of elements thereby creating a varying potential gradient between each element of said second group and the corresponding preselected element of said first group to insure glow transfer from one element of one group to the corresponding preselected element of the second group at the place of greatest potential gradient therebetween.

25.111 a gaseous discharge tube of the glow transfer type, anode means, cathode means comprisin two groups of similar glow transfer elements mounted in spaced relationship to one another and to said anode means, each of said elements being positioned to produce non-uniform electrical effects upon adjacent elements to permit a predetermined transfer of said glow discharge.

26. A gaseous discharge device comprising an array of cathode elements, means connecting said cathodes electrically in two groups with the elements of said groups in alternate relationship to one another, a pair of anodes adjacent said cathode elements and spaced therefrom, and means for stepping a discharge in either of two directions along said array comprising means for controlling application of voltages to said cathode groups and to said pair of anodes in a predetermined manner.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,443,407 Wales June 15, 1948 2,473,159 Lyman June 14, 1949 2,598,677 Depp June 3, 1952 2,627,054 Hough et a1 Jan. 27, 1953 

